Repeat drunk driver back in Seattle court (Times)

Last April, the defense attorney for repeat drunken driver Dwight Benson painted a sympathetic picture of a veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder and a battle against alcoholism.

“He isn’t victimizing our community,” the attorney, Ted Barr, told a Seattle Municipal Court judge. “He drives without a license and has a problem with drinking.”

Barr also claimed that Benson was a victim.

Benson’s pastor, James E. Crockett, made similar statements, saying Benson’s criminal behavior is much different than raping or murdering someone.

Judges in two separate cases still sentenced him for DUI cases. He received a year in jail for a 2009 DUI case and more time for a 2007 case.

Last weekend — while free on bond pending an appeal of a sentence — the 64-year-old Benson crashed into another car, apparently while drunk, The Seattle Times reported. He’s back in jail now on $1.2 million bail.

Had he served the sentences imposed last year, Benson would still be in jail. But in June Seattle Municipal Court Judge Ron Mamiya authorized his release on $75,000 bond and a promise not to drink or drive – despite an objection from the City Attorney’s Office, The Times reported.

Even though Benson’s first DUI case was in 1984, the two DUI cases he was sentenced for last April were gross misdemeanors.

According to Washington law, a person such as Benson charged solely for DUI — not a case of vehicular assault — can be charged with a Class C felony only if the individual has four or more prior offenses within 10 years.

A year ago, Benson described himself as an alcoholic who is blessed he hasn’t hurt anyone other than himself. Watch that video below.